here's what I did from Kelleys corner : Windows Installer Issues
Run the edit on line 94:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
and/or:
Go to Start/Run and type in:
msiexec /unregister [click ok]
Then Start/Run and type in:
msiexec /regserver [click ok]
If neither of the above has helped: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSIServer
Does the image path in the right pane correctly point to: (modify drive
letter as needed)
C:\Windows\System32\Msiexec.exe /V
If not: boot into safe mode and then go to Start/Run/CMD and type in:
msiexec.exe
Once done and while still there type in: msiexec /regserver
Check the image path again, if it is now present, reboot.
The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" Error Message When You
Add or Remove Program
Error Message: The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This
can occur if you are running Windows in safe
mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your
support personnel for assistance. Line 94.
Another note is, if you are running DirectX 9, many users are having this
same issue. It seems to be prevelent to certain graphics cards and the dxdiag
tool, doesn't help.
The only workaround so far is to uninstall DirectX 9. If this is your case
and an option you are willing to try...
I have the download for the uninstaller listed on my site. The only
modification to be made is to extracte the zip file to C:\DXTEMP and
not C:\DXTEMP! as per the readme. Also, run it only in safe mode.
Uninstall DirectX 9 (Line 112)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Added info:
Windows Installer can use logging to help assist in troubleshooting issues
with installing software packages. To enable verbose logging apply this edit:
Windows Installer Logging or Cleanup Utility (Line 84)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Windows Installer will store the logs in the TEMP directory. The filename is
random, but begins with the letters "Msi" and end with a .log extension.
Windows Installer CleanUp Utility (Office Products)
http://download.microsoft.com/download/office2000pro/util20/1/NT4/EN-US/msicuu.exe
Troubleshooting Windows Installer
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm#xp_wininstaller
"Error 1719. The Windows Installer Service Could Not Be Accessed" Error
Message When You Add or Remove Program
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q315346
Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
http://download.microsoft.com/download/office2000pro/util20/1/NT4/EN-US/msicuu.exe
Run Windows Installer Clean Up, select the application which pops up with
the Windows Installer, and click Remove.
Windows Installer - Remote Administration
Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called
"EnableAdminTSRemote" and set it according to the value data below. Exit your
registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to
take effect.
Note: This setting affects system administrators only. Other users cannot
install programs remotely
Windows Installer - Disable
Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
Create a new DWORD value, or modify the existing value, called "DisableMSI"
and set it according to (0 = default, 1 = admin only, 2 = disabled). Exit
your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change
to take effect.
Windows Installer Logging
Windows Installer can use logging to help assist in troubleshooting issues
with installing software packages. You can enable verbose logging with this
setting. Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer]
Create a new string value called "Logging" and set it to a combination of
the letters below to enable the logging options. A value of "voicewarmup"
will enable all the logging options.
Then I went to microsoft and tried the things they suggested there